Magnetic coin-testing device for coin-controlled machines.



A. D. GROVER & A. COSEGLIA. MAGNETIC com TESTING DEVICE FOR com CONTROLLED MACHINES. APPLICATION HLED NOV. 10. HH.

m L. w 0 M a 4 K r 5, 1/; ,E V M 5 m M. w m 8 6 8 H 1 2 N T I & 2 2 2. 56 1 d Z 2 m 9 a f w I M M \hm nz a m 2 d m a... t L 2 -/I\\w\ 6 W m M r I on 1 k u L m w a a m 5 m 5 m a a a M 8 2 w 2% w 2 n 5 m U H 9 5 1 n a H 2 e h M m m m w 7 u m flu U m n J.

INVENTDRS. 'Wleri ID. Graver, Jinan? 6'08 ital by Wig 35.5555- UNITED STATES PATENT cranes.

ALBERT D. GROVER AND ANTHONY COSEGLIA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO AUTOSALES GUM & CHOCOLATE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MAGNETIC COIN-TESTING DEVICE FOR COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Application filed November 10, 1914. Serial No. 871,232.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALBERT D. Gnovna, a citizen of the United States, and ANTHONY COSEGLIA, a subject of the King of Italy, both residents of New York city, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Magnetic Coin-Testing Devices for Coin-Controlled Machines, of which the following-is a specification.

Our invention relates to coin-testing mechanisms for pod-controlled machines to prevent their operation by means of magnetic disks or checks, and has for its object the provision of means whereby heavy magnetic disks are deflected out of the coinchute without operation of the machine, while light magnetic disks which may happen to remain in the coin-chute by adhering to the poles of the deflecting magnet are caused to drop through the coin-chute into an inoperative position.

In the magnetic coin-testing mechanisms heretofore used, the magnet was so arranged as to catch all of the magnetic disks and hold them within the coin-chute until released from the magnet. As a result of this construction, the coin-chute became clogged or obstructed by the caught magnetic disk, and if a. good coin was deposited before the disk was released, it was prevented by the magnetic disk from passing into the coin chute into operative position. an intending purchaser would lose his coin.

The foregoing and other objections and disadvantages inherent in the magnetic cointesters heretofore used, are entirely overcome and obviated by our new magnetic coin-testing mechanism. In our device, the magnet is so constructed and arranged that heavy iron disks are deflected out of the coin-chute without adhering to the magnet. When a light magnetic disk is deposited, it may be deflected out of the coin-chute and not adhere to the poles of the magnet, but the probability is that such a light disk will in nearly every case adhere to the poles of the magnet. At every operation of the machine the poles of the magnet are rocked away from the coin-chute. and if any disk or check was held caught by the magnet it will he immediately released and allowed to drop into an inoperative position. The lightweight disk caught l) the magnet is held in such a position that it does not obstruct the In this way passageway of the coin-chute and does not, therefore, interfere vith the free passage of the next deposited coin into operative position within the machine. During the return movement of the operative parts of the machine the magnet is automatically restored to normal position. In the preferredform of coin-controlled mechanism-provided with our invention; Fig. 2, is a vertical cross-section approximately on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. with the parts in normal position and showinghow a light magnetic disk is held caught by the'magnet; Fig. 3 is a cross section approximately on the broken line 33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4, is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts in operated position, showing how a magnetic disk which adhered to the magnet is released therefrom and caused to fall into an inoperative position.

For thesake of convenience and illustration we have shown our invention embodied in a coin-controlled mechanism like that set forth in the co-pending application of Albert' D. Grover and Earl E. Barker, Serial No. 711,797, filed July 27, 1912. In other words, the coin-carrier and ejecting mechanism shown in the drawings of this case are the same as those in said co-pendingapplication, and do not, therefore, in and of themselves form part of our present invention.

In the frame work A, which is of suitable construction and adaptedto be supported within the casing of a vending machine or other coin-controlled mechanism, is slid-ably mounted a coin-carrier designated asa whole by B. This coin-carrier comprises a block 1 fixed upon a base plate 2, slidahly mounted in the frame work A. For this purpose the side walls of the frame work are. provided vith grooves 13 in which operate the guide der piece 7 which is sufficiently separated from the block 1 to form a groove for receiving the lower edge of the deposited C0111, as will be presently explained. The base plate 2 is formed with a depending portion 8 to which is secured the hollow push rod 9. lhis rod extends out of the frame work and is adapted to be manually operated. An expansion spring 10, hearing at its rear end against the back wall of the casing and at its other end against the closed front end of the push rod 9, normally holds the coincarrier in a forward or normal position as shown in Fig. 2. A guide rod or pin 11, extending forwardly from the rear wall of the casing A, maintains the spring in almement with the hollow push rod 9. a

The deposited coin is guided into proper position on the coin-carrier by an approximately vertical coin-chute lndicated by a whole C and comprising a front wall 12 and the rear wall 13. The front wall 12 termlnates in proximity to the coin-carrier B and is provided with a cut-away portion 14 through which the coin-carrier passes in its movements. The rear wall 13 terminates in a deflecting portion 15 at some distance from the lower end of the front wall 12, so as to provide a discharge opening 16. At its mouth, a coin-chute is provided with an en largement 17 to provide easy entrance into the coin-chute of the deposited coin. The coin-chute is made of suitable non-magnetic material such as brass.

' A horse-shoe magnet M is pivotally supported in such a way that the pole ends 18 thereof lie contiguous to the deflecting portion 15 of the rear wall 13, as best shown in Fig. 2. The precise manner of pivotally mounting the magnet is immaterial. In the drawings we. have shown the magnet supported between a pair of ears or lugs 19 carried by the coin-chute. Pins 20 fixed to the magnet extend through openings in the ears 19. It will be observed from Fig. 2 that below its point of pivot the magnet lies close to the rear wall 13 of the coin-chute when in normal position, but above the point of support the magnet is bent away from the wall 13 as indicated at 20". This allows the necessary swinging movement of the magnet, as will be presently explained.

In the frame work A is mounted a shaft 21 on which is pivoted the lever 22 which represents any suitable member to be actuated through the medium of the deposited coin. The lower end 23 of this lever termi mates in proximity to and slightly below the upper edge of a proper coin on the coincarrier, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 where the deposited coin is indicated at D. The lever 22 is arranged centrally with respect to the coin-carrier, so that the pin 6 lies in the plane of the lever 22, as shown in Fig. 3. It should be noted that the top of the coin-carrier block 1 is below the lower edge of the lever 22, whereby the coin-carrier does not form any connection with the operating le ver 22 when no coin has been deposited. The lever 22 is normally held in the position shoWn in Fig. 2 by any suitable means, such as a spring 24' coiled about the shaft 21 and secured at one end to the frame work A, as indicated at 25, while its free end bears against the lever 22, as shown at 26. The rearward movement of the lever 22 under the action of the spring 24 is limited by a stop 27 which may be conveniently struck up from the rear wall. of the frame work A.

The particular function of the lever 22 is immaterial as far as our invention is concerned. The lever 22 may operate an ejecting mechanism or control an electric circuit or perform various kinds of operations. For the sake of illustration we have shown in the drawings a suitable form of ejector connected with the upper end of the lever 22. This ejector is the same as the one shown and described in the aforesaid co-pending application, Serial No. 711,797, and comprises a slidable plate 28 mounted on top of the frame work A, and provided with a pair of pivoted ejecting fingers 29. These fingers are pivoted on the rod or pin 30 carried by the slidable plate 28. A spring 31 coiled about the rod 30 normally forces the fingers 29 upwardly. The rear edges of the fingers 29 are curved, as shown at 32, so that when the slide returns rearwardly to normal position the fingers 29 may be rocked downwardly by the bottom package in the magazine. The plate 28 is provided centrally with a pair of downwardly extending flanges 33 which carry the pin 34. The upper end of the lever 22 is provided with a slot 35 in which pin 34 is adapted to engage.

A cam-member 36 of non-magnetic material, such as brass, is mounted on the shaft 21 and connected with the lever 22 in any suitable way, as by a pin or rivet 37, so that the lever and cam-member may move in unison. The normal position of the cammember 36 is such that the free end thereof is in close proximity to the lower end of the magnet, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. The function of this cam-member is to positively return the magnet to normal position during the return movement of the parts and to hold it locked in that position. In this way there is no danger of the swinging magnet being jarred or otherwise displaced from its normal or operative position while the coincarrier is in coin-receiving position.

The operation of our new device will be understood from the foregoing and may be briefly described as follows: Fig. 2 shows the parts in their normal position. When a proper coin is deposited in the machine it descends through the coin-chute C and is received by the coin-carrier B, where it is held in rigid position by the pin 6 which engages the coin at the center, and by the shoulder piece 7 which firmly holds the coin at the bottom. \Vhen the rod 9 is pushed inwardly the upper edge of the coin engages the lower end 23 of the operating lever 22 and actuates the same into the position shown in Fig. 4. During this movement of the lever 22 the ejecting fingers '29 have moved across the top of the frame work A and ejected the lowermost package from the column of goods supported above the frame work. We have not deemed it necessary to show the goods magazine, as the operation of the ejecting device is easily understood and moreover does'not form any part of our invention. When the push rod 9 is released the spring 10 throws the coin-carrier to normal position. During the return move ment of the coin-carrier the coin is stripped from the carrier by the stripping fingers 38 which are pivoted at 39 to the rear of the frame work A and held normally in horizontal position by the spring 40. The front ends of the stripping fingers 38 are beveled as shown at 41, so that during the rearward movement of the coin-carrier the fingers ride over the edge of the coin. As the operating lever 22 approaches the end of its forward or operative movement, it engages the upper end of the magnet and swings the polar ends thereof away from the rear wall 13 of the coin-chute. When the parts return to normal position the cam-member 36 engages one of the legs of the magnet and forces the same back against the wall of the coin-chute to normal position. The magnet hangs in normal position by gravity and is held locked in that position by the cammember 36. It is clear that when a magnetic disk is deposited in the coin-chute C, it will either be deflected by the magnet out of the coin-chute through the discharge opening 16 or adhere to the poles of the magnet, depending upon the weight of the disk. If the disk is sufficiently heavy, its momentum as it flrops past the magnet will be suflicient to :arry it past the magnet out of the coin- :hute. The strength of the magnetic poles s .sufiicient to divert the disk out of the :oin-chute, no matter how heavy the disk nay be. When a light magnetic disk is deiosited, its momentum will not be sulficient o carry it past the poles of the magnet and t will be arrested approximately in the poition in which the light magnetic diskE is hown in Fig. 2. When the push rod is oprated with the light magnetic disk clinging the magnet, there will, of course, be no ctuation of the lever 22. Now, when a roper coin is deposited and the machine aerated, the lever 22 will swing the poles t the magnet away from the coin-chute. as )ove described, and the magnetic disk E ill drop out of the coin-chute into an inoperative position. The deflecting portion 15 of the wall 13 is so formed that a magnetic disk clinging to the magnet" will not obstruct the passageway in the coin-chute and will not therefore clog up the machine.

\Vhile we ha e herein shown and described one specific form of construction embodying our invention, wewould have it clearly understood that we do not intend to be limited to the mechanical details set forth by way of illustration, as it is obvious that various changes will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a coin-controlled machine, a member to be actuated, means for actuating said member through the medium of the de posited coin, a descending coin-chute for guiding the coin into operative position and having a discharge opening in one wall thereof, said wall being provided with a deflecting portion above said opening, a swlngmg magnet having its poles held nor mally in close proximity to the deflecting portion of said wall to deflect magnetic checks through said discharge opening, said magnet being arranged to be actuated by said member during the forward operation thereof to swing the magnet poles away from the coin-chute and thereby release any magnetic disk clinging to the magnet, and means for automatically returning said magnet to normal position during the return movement of said member.

2. In a coin-controlled machine, a member to be actuated, means for actuating said member through the medium of the deposited coin, a descending coin-chute for guiding the coin into operative position and having a discharge opening in one wall thereof, said wall being provided with a deflecting portion above said opening, a

swinging magnet having its poles held normally in close proximity to the deflecting portion of said wall to deflectmagnetic checks through said discharge opening, said magnet being arranged to be actuated by said member duringthe forward operation thereof to swing the magnet poles away from the coin-chute and thereby release any magnetic disk clinging to the magnet, and a cam-device for positively engaging said magnet and returning it to normal position during the return movement of said member.

3. In a coin'eontrolled machine, a mem her to be actuated, means for actuating said member through the medium of the deposited coin. a descending coin-chute for guiding the coin into operative position and having a discharge opening in one wall thereof, said wall being provided with a deflecting portion above said opening, a swinging magnet having its poles held normally in close proximity to the deflecting portion of said wall to deflect magnetic checks through said discharge opening, said magnet being arranged to be actuated by said member during the forward operation thereof to swing the magnet poles away from the coin-chute and thereby release any magnetic disk clinging to the magnet, and a cam-device for positively engaging said magnet and returning it to normal position during the return movement of said member, said cam-device being adapted when in normal position to hold said magnet locked against displacement.

4. In a coin-controlled machine, a member to be actuated, means for actuating said member through the medium of the deposited coin, a descending coin-chute for guiding the coin into operative position and having a discharge opening in one wall thereof, said wall being provided with a deflecting portion above said opening, a swinging magnet having its poles held normally in close proximity to the deflecting portion of said wall to deflect magnetic checks through said discharge opening, said magnet being arranged to be actuated by said member during the forward operation thereof to swing the magnet poles away from the coin-chute and thereby release any magnetic disk clinging to the magnet, and a cam-device connected with said member for positively engaging said magnet and returning it to normal position during the return movement of said member.

5. In a coin-controlled machine, a member to be actuated, means for actuating said member through the medium of the deposited coin, a descending coin-chute for guiding the coin, into operative position and having a discharge opening in one wall thereof, said wall being provided with a deflecting portion above said opening, a swinging magnet having its poles held normally in close proximity to the deflecting portion of said wall to deflect magnetic checks through said discharge opening, said magnet being arranged to be actuated by said member during the forward operation thereof to swing the magnet poles away from the coin-chute and thereby release any magnetic disk clinging to the magnet, and a cam-device connected with said member for positively engaging said magnet and returning it to normal position during the return movement of said member, said camdevice being adapted when in normal position to hold said magnet locked against displacement.

(3. In a coin-controlled machine, a shaft, a member mounted on said shaft for rotation, means for actuating said member through the medium of the deposited coin, a descendmg coin-chute for guiding the coin into operat ve position and having a discharge openmg in one wall thereof, a swinging magnet having its poles in close proximity to said discharge opening to deflect magnetic checks therethro'ugh, said magnet being arranged to be actuated by said member during the .forward operation thereof to swing the magnet poles away from the coin-chute and thereby release any magnetic disk clingmg to the magnet, and means mounted on said shaft for automatically returning said magnet to normal position during the return movement of said member.

7. In a coin-controlled machine, a coinchute having a discharge opening, a swingmg magnet mounted with its poles in proximity to said discharge opening to deflect magnetic disks therethrough, a. pivoted member arranged to be operated through the medium of the deposited coin and adapted during its forward movement to swing the poles of said magnet away from said coinchute, and a second pivoted member adapted to engage said magnet during the return movement of said first member and swing it back to normal position.

8. In a coin-controlled machine, a coinchute having a discharge opening, a swinging magnet mounted with its poles in proximity to said'discharge opening to deflectmagnetic disks therethrough, a pivoted member arranged to be operated through the medium of the deposited coin and adapted during its forward movement to swing the poles of said magnet away from said coinchute, and a second pivoted member adapted to engage said magnet during the return movement of said first member and swing it 1( back to normal position, said second member being adapted when in normal position to hold said magnet locked against displacement.

9. In a coin-controlled machine, a coin- 11 chute having a discharge opening in one wall thereof, a swinging magnet bent at the point of pivot and so mounted that its polar ends normally lie flat against said wall above said opening, the portion of said magnet at the 11 other side of said pivot being bent away from said wall, a coin-controlled member adapted during its forward movement to engage the projecting portion of said magnet and thereby swing the poles thereof away from 11 said wall, and means for positively returning said magnet to normal position during the return movement of said member.

10. In a coin-controlled machine, a coinchute having a discharge opening in one wall If away from said wall, a rotatable coin-controlled member adapted during its forward movement to engage the projecting portion of said magnet and thereby swing the poles thereof away from said wall, and a second rotatable member mounted concentrically with said first member for positively returning said magnet to normal position during the return movement of said first member.

11. In a coin-controlled machine, a coinchute having a discharge opening, a swinging magnet mounted with its poles in proximity to said discharge opening to deflect magnetic slugs therethrough, a movable coincontrolled device having a portion adapted to swing the poles of said magnet away from said coin-chute during the forward movement thereof, and having a second ortion adapted to move said magnet bac to normal position during the return movement of said device.

12. In a coin-controlled machine, a coinchute having a discharge opening, a swinging magnet mounted with its poles in proximity to said discharge opening to deflect magnetic slugs therethrough, a movable coincontrolled device having a portion adapted to swing the poles of said magnet away from said coin-chute during the forward movement thereof, and having a second portion ada ted to move saidmagnet back to normal position during the return movement of said device, said second portion being adapted to lock said magnet in normal position during the normal position of said device.

13. In a coin-controlled machine, a descending coin-chute having a discharge opening in one wall thereof, said wall being provided with a deflecting portion above said opening, a movable magnet having its poles held normally in close roximity to said deflecting portion to de ect heavy magnetic checks out of the coin-chute through said discharge opening, light-weight magnetic checks being held by said magnet in said deflecting portion of the coin-chute out of the path of a descending coin, a hand-operable member, means operable during the forward movement of said member to move the poles of said magnet away from said deflecting portion of the coin-chute to release any thi magnetic disk caught by the magnet, and means for automatically returning said magnet to normal position during the return movement of said member.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this twenty seventh day of October, A. D. 1914.

ALBERT D. GROVER. ANTHONY COSEGLIA.

Witnesses for both:

V. C. WOLFSBRUOK, G. MCKINNON. 

